While the EMG-60 humbucker still features the close aperture coils loaded with ceramic magnets for the brightest attack of any of EMG's many humbucking models, this pickup also packs plenty of output with both clarity and cut through high end. The EMG-60 guitar pickup is incredible for rhythm guitar as metal and extreme players have discovered. James Hetfield's signature ESP models use EMG-60s because their distinctive crunch sets any rhythm player apart in the mix of a band that pumps a lot of midrange from the stage.

With a distinctive tone for soloing, the 60 works perfectly as a clear, yet fat lead pickup. The resonance slope is steeper but the peak is higher than other EMG models. The EMG-60 pickup is the result of a lot of input from various people. It is probably the most versatile humbucking pickup EMG makes, but doesn't get the recognition it deserves.